**The prolonged military conflict between Iran and Iraq, a devastating chapter in modern Middle Eastern history, began during the 1980s, fundamentally reshaping regional geopolitics and leaving an indelible mark on millions of lives. Understanding what started the Iran-Iraq War is crucial for comprehending the complexities of the region, as its roots lie deep within historical grievances, territorial disputes, and ideological clashes that escalated into one of the 20th century's longest and most brutal conventional wars.** This eight-year struggle, often referred to as the First Persian Gulf War, was not merely a border skirmish but a multifaceted conflict fueled by ambition, fear, and a profound clash of visions for the future of the Middle East. The war’s origins are complex, a tapestry woven from centuries of intertwined histories, shifting power dynamics, and the immediate aftermath of revolutionary upheaval. While the invasion date of September 22, 1980, marks the official commencement of open hostilities, the seeds of conflict had been sown much earlier, growing in the fertile ground of political instability and simmering animosities between two powerful neighbors. To truly grasp what started the Iran-Iraq War, one must delve into the intricate web of factors that led to this catastrophic confrontation. **Table of Contents** * [The Genesis of Conflict: Historical Context](#the-genesis-of-conflict-historical-context) * [Deep-Rooted Border Disputes](#deep-rooted-border-disputes) * [The Aftermath of the Iranian Revolution](#the-aftermath-of-the-iranian-revolution) * [Saddam Hussein's Ambitions and the Invasion](#saddam-husseins-ambitions-and-the-invasion) * [Iraq's Perceived Threat and Strategic Calculus](#iraqs-perceived-threat-and-strategic-calculus) * [The Spark: September 22, 1980](#the-spark-september-22-1980) * [Early War Dynamics and International Reactions](#early-war-dynamics-and-international-reactions) * [Weaponry and Brutality: Chemical Warfare and Missile Attacks](#weaponry-and-brutality-chemical-warfare-and-missile-attacks) * [The Role of External Actors: Israel's Involvement](#the-role-of-external-actors-israels-involvement) * [Strategic Alliances and Shifting Sands](#strategic-alliances-and-shifting-sands) * [The Long Road to Resolution: UN Resolution 598](#the-long-road-to-resolution-un-resolution-598) * [Lingering Legacies and Regional Instability](#lingering-legacies-and-regional-instability) --- ## The Genesis of Conflict: Historical Context To understand what started the Iran-Iraq War, one must first appreciate the historical backdrop against which it unfolded. The relationship between Iran (Persia) and Iraq (Mesopotamia) has long been characterized by a blend of cultural exchange and geopolitical rivalry. Their shared border, stretching over 1,458 kilometers, has been a source of contention for centuries, particularly concerning the Shatt al-Arab waterway, a vital artery for both nations' oil exports. This waterway, formed by the confluence of the Tigris and Euphrates rivers, flows into the Persian Gulf and has historically been a flashpoint for disputes over navigation rights and sovereignty. ### Deep-Rooted Border Disputes A primary factor in what started the Iran-Iraq War was the long history of border disputes. While treaties like the 1975 Algiers Agreement attempted to resolve these issues, they often proved fragile, susceptible to shifts in political power and nationalistic aspirations. The Algiers Agreement, for instance, stipulated that the border in the Shatt al-Arab would run along the thalweg (the deepest part of the channel), granting Iran more control than previous agreements. However, this concession was deeply resented by Iraq, which viewed the entire waterway as its sovereign territory. Saddam Hussein, who rose to power in Iraq, considered this agreement a humiliation imposed by the Shah of Iran and sought an opportunity to abrogate it and reclaim full control of the Shatt al-Arab. These unresolved territorial claims provided a potent ideological justification for future military action. ### The Aftermath of the Iranian Revolution Another critical element in what started the Iran-Iraq War was the seismic shift brought about by the 1979 Iranian Revolution. The overthrow of the pro-Western Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi and the establishment of the Islamic Republic under Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini sent shockwaves throughout the region. Relations with Iran had grown increasingly strained after the Shah was overthrown in 1979. Khomeini, the spiritual leader of the Iranian revolution, proclaimed his policy of exporting the Islamic Revolution, which deeply unnerved neighboring Arab states, particularly Iraq with its significant Shi'a majority population ruled by a Sunni-dominated Ba'athist regime. While Iraq recognized Iran’s new Shiʿi Islamic government, the Iranian leaders would have nothing to do with the Baʿath regime, which they denounced as secular. This ideological clash was profound: Khomeini's revolutionary fervor challenged the legitimacy of secular Arab governments, including Saddam Hussein's. Iran's calls for the overthrow of Saddam Hussein's regime were perceived as a direct threat to Iraq's sovereignty and internal stability, particularly given the historical grievances of Iraq's Shi'a population against the Sunni-led government. This volatile mix of historical territorial disputes and immediate ideological threats created an explosive atmosphere. ## Saddam Hussein's Ambitions and the Invasion The war was started by Iraq dictator Saddam Hussein, driven by a complex mix of personal ambition, strategic calculations, and a desire to assert Iraq's dominance in the Persian Gulf. Saddam saw the post-revolutionary chaos in Iran as a golden opportunity. Iran's military, once formidable under the Shah, was severely weakened by purges, defections, and a lack of spare parts due to international sanctions. This perceived vulnerability emboldened Saddam. ### Iraq's Perceived Threat and Strategic Calculus Saddam Hussein's strategic calculus was multifaceted. He aimed to: * Reassert Iraqi sovereignty over the Shatt al-Arab waterway, abrogating the 1975 Algiers Agreement. * Prevent the spread of Iran's revolutionary ideology into Iraq, fearing it would incite his own Shi'a population. * Establish Iraq as the dominant power in the Persian Gulf, filling the vacuum left by Iran's internal turmoil. * Seize resource-rich Iranian territories, particularly the oil-producing province of Khuzestan, which Iraq referred to as "Arabistan." The belief that a swift, decisive victory was achievable was a major miscalculation that shaped what started the Iran-Iraq War. Saddam underestimated the resilience of the newly formed Islamic Republic and the fervent nationalism that would unite Iranians against an external invader, regardless of their internal political divisions. He anticipated a quick capitulation, allowing Iraq to dictate terms and emerge as the undisputed regional hegemon. ## The Spark: September 22, 1980 Active hostilities began with the Iraqi invasion of Iran. Open warfare began on September 22, 1980, when Iraqi armed forces invaded western Iran along the countries’ joint border. This date marks the definitive answer to what started the Iran-Iraq War in its full-scale, conventional form. The invasion was a massive coordinated assault, with Iraqi forces pushing deep into Iranian territory on multiple fronts. The invasion was preceded by a series of escalating border skirmishes and rhetorical exchanges. Iraq's official justification for the invasion was to defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity against Iranian provocations, including alleged border violations and calls for Saddam's overthrow. It began when Iraq invaded Iran on 22 September 1980, after a long history of border disputes and after Iran demanded the overthrow of Saddam Hussein's regime. Saddam publicly tore up the 1975 Algiers Agreement on television, signaling his intent to reclaim what he considered Iraq's rightful territory and assert its dominance. This act was a clear declaration of Iraq's intentions and a direct challenge to Iran's new revolutionary government. ## Early War Dynamics and International Reactions Initially, Iraq made significant territorial gains, capitalizing on Iran's disarray. However, the anticipated quick victory eluded Saddam. The Iranian people, galvanized by Ayatollah Khomeini's calls for resistance, rallied to defend their homeland. Despite internal purges and the disarray of its military, Iran mounted a fierce defense, transforming the conflict from a quick Iraqi victory into a prolonged and brutal war of attrition. The international community's reaction was complex and often contradictory. While there was a general condemnation of Iraq's invasion, many global powers were wary of Iran's revolutionary government and its potential to destabilize the region further. Consequently, many countries, either overtly or covertly, supported Iraq, providing arms, financial aid, or intelligence. This complex web of alliances and rivalries prolonged the conflict and added layers of complexity to what started the Iran-Iraq War. The war also involved attacks on oil tankers found in the Persian Gulf, a tactic employed by both sides to disrupt the other's oil exports and draw international attention to the conflict, further complicating global shipping and energy markets. ## Weaponry and Brutality: Chemical Warfare and Missile Attacks The Iran-Iraq War was marked by extreme brutality and the widespread use of unconventional weapons, distinguishing it from many other conflicts of its time. The war was marked by ballistic missile attacks and chemical weapons. Iraq's use of chemical weapons was particularly egregious and had devastating consequences for Iranian soldiers and civilians. The Iraqis used weapons of mass destruction, most notably mustard gas, against Iranian soldiers. This horrific tactic, a clear violation of international law, caused immense suffering and long-term health problems for survivors. Beyond chemical attacks, both sides engaged in a "War of the Cities," launching ballistic missile strikes against each other's urban centers. A renewed wave of Iraqi missile strikes on Iranian cities, including the capital, Tehran, in the later stages of the war, inflicted heavy civilian casualties and psychological trauma. These indiscriminate attacks aimed to break the morale of the enemy population and force a surrender, highlighting the extreme lengths to which both regimes were willing to go to achieve victory. The sheer scale of these attacks and the willingness to target civilians underscore the brutal nature of what started the Iran-Iraq War and how it evolved. ## The Role of External Actors: Israel's Involvement The Iran-Iraq War, while primarily a bilateral conflict, was influenced by various external actors, often with their own strategic interests at play. One surprising aspect of this period was the reported involvement of Israel. Even after the establishment of the Islamic Republic, Israel reportedly helped Iran in its war with Iraq that lasted from 1980 to 1988. This seemingly counter-intuitive alliance stemmed from a complex geopolitical calculation. ### Strategic Alliances and Shifting Sands Israel supplied Iran with over $500 million in arms, as it saw Iraq’s nuclear ambitions at the time as a greater threat to its existence. For Israel, a powerful and potentially nuclear-armed Iraq under Saddam Hussein was a more immediate and significant threat than revolutionary Iran, despite the latter's anti-Israeli rhetoric. This pragmatic approach meant that Israel was willing to provide military aid to Iran, effectively aiding one adversary against another, to weaken a common, more pressing threat. This demonstrates how regional power dynamics and perceived threats can lead to unexpected alliances, further complicating the narrative of what started the Iran-Iraq War and how it unfolded. It's important to note that the broader context of regional conflicts sometimes gets conflated. For instance, the phrase "The war between Israel and Iran continues to rage on, with both sides ramping up deadly attacks on one another, threatening to engulf the region in a broader conflict" refers to contemporary tensions, not the historical Iran-Iraq War. Similarly, "Shortly after they began, Secretary of State Marco Rubio wrote on X that Israel took unilateral action against Iran, adding, we are not involved in strikes against Iran and our top priority is" refers to recent events and should not be confused with the historical context of the Iran-Iraq War. The focus here is on the 1980-1988 conflict and its origins. ## The Long Road to Resolution: UN Resolution 598 The Iran-Iraq War lasted for nearly eight years, until the acceptance of United Nations Security Council Resolution 598 by both sides. The war between Iran and Iraq, lasting nearly eight years, commenced with the Iraqi invasion of Iran on 22 September 1980, and ended with the bilateral acceptance of the UN Security Council Resolution 598 on 20 July 1988. This resolution, adopted on July 20, 1987, called for an immediate ceasefire, withdrawal of forces to international borders, and negotiations for a comprehensive peace settlement. Iran initially was reluctant to accept this resolution, viewing it as insufficient given the immense sacrifices made and the initial Iraqi aggression. However, a combination of factors finally secured its acceptance. These factors included: * **Iraq's extensive use of chemical weapons in battles during early 1988:** The devastating impact of these weapons on Iranian forces and the international condemnation they drew put immense pressure on Iran. * **A renewed wave of Iraqi missile strikes on Iranian cities, including the capital, Tehran:** The "War of the Cities" inflicted unbearable suffering on the civilian population, eroding public morale and increasing calls for an end to the conflict. * **Growing international isolation and economic strain:** The prolonged war had severely depleted Iran's resources and isolated it on the global stage. Ayatollah Khomeini famously described accepting the ceasefire as "drinking from the poisoned chalice," acknowledging the bitter necessity of ending a war that had become unsustainable for Iran. The acceptance of Resolution 598 marked the official end of hostilities, but the wounds of the war would take decades to heal. ## Lingering Legacies and Regional Instability The Iran-Iraq War, born from border disputes, ideological clashes, and Saddam Hussein's ambitions, left a devastating legacy. Millions were killed or wounded, economies were shattered, and deep-seated animosities were solidified. While the immediate question of what started the Iran-Iraq War finds its answer in the Iraqi invasion of September 1980, the underlying causes and subsequent events illustrate a complex interplay of historical grievances, revolutionary fervor, and strategic miscalculations. The war's conclusion did not bring lasting stability to the region. Instead, it laid the groundwork for future conflicts, including the Gulf War of 1990-1991, as Saddam Hussein, burdened by war debt and still harboring regional ambitions, turned his attention to Kuwait. The use of chemical weapons by Iraq set a dangerous precedent, and the international community's muted response to these atrocities had long-term implications for global arms control. The war also cemented the Islamic Republic's resolve to develop its own defensive capabilities, influencing its approach to national security in the decades that followed. The scars of this brutal conflict continue to shape the geopolitical landscape of the Middle East, reminding us of the profound consequences when historical tensions and political ambitions ignite into full-scale war. --- The Iran-Iraq War stands as a stark reminder of the devastating consequences of unresolved disputes and unchecked aggression. From the deep-rooted territorial claims over the Shatt al-Arab to the ideological clash following the Iranian Revolution, and Saddam Hussein's calculated invasion, the factors that started the Iran-Iraq War are multifaceted and deeply intertwined. Understanding this pivotal conflict is not just an academic exercise; it offers crucial insights into the enduring complexities of Middle Eastern politics and the tragic human cost of war. We hope this comprehensive look into the origins of the Iran-Iraq War has provided you with valuable insights. What are your thoughts on the primary triggers of this conflict? Share your perspectives in the comments below! If you found this article informative, please consider sharing it with others who might be interested in understanding this critical piece of history. For more in-depth analyses of historical conflicts and their impact, explore other articles on our site.
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